WHAT DO THE YOUTH IN FISHING COMMUNITIES WANT?  CASE STUDY OF URBAN AND RURAL FISHING VILLAGES IN TAMIL NADU

As one of the youngest nations, India has more than one-third of its total population between 15 to 35 years age group.  Home to largest share of fishers in the world, 35% of marine fishing population are of less than 15 years of age. With structural changes in the economy as well as in the marine fishing industry during last two to three decades, the aspirations and values of today's youth are bound to be different as compared to those a generation ago. A study was undertaken in coastal Tamil Nadu to analyse the career aspirations of youth in fishing communities. One urban and one rural fishing village (Kasimedu in Chennai and Tharuvaikulam in Thoothukudi districts) were selected for to understand career choices as well as the effect of urbanization and geographical on it. Primary data were collected from 100 fisher youth and 50 non-fisher youth. Descriptive statistics and tests of significance were employed to analyse data. Results indicated that two thirds of youth from Kasimedu (urban) fishing village (67%) aspire for higher education while the proportion dropped significantly in the rural fishing village of Tharuvaikulam (48%). the lack of educational facilities in the vicinity as well as better economic prospects from fishing in the later and hence less interest for higher education.

The likelihood of attaining educational aspiration also was found to be far higher among Kasimedu youth as compared to Tharuvaikulam youth. This indirectly reflects the lack of employment opportunities for higher educated youth in Thoothukudi region. Interestingly, for Kasimedu fisher youth government job (45.3%) and self-employment (20%) were primary career options while for Tharuvaikulam youth it was Government job 41.3%) and fishing (28%) (Table 1). Contrary to the assumption, in Tharuvaikulam, youth considered fishing as the most profitable business and the majority preferred to go for fishing. The scenario is different in the urban Kasimedu in spite of their proximity to a large Chennai market where the fisher youth were more educated and hence wish to shift out of fishing preferring a career in government. Kasimedu youth also had a higher likelihood of achieving what they aspired for. The study has found that urbanization with its attendant opportunities on one side and the declining fisheries on the other have influenced significantly the career choices of new generation of youth. This is an encouraging sign in view of need to reduce fishing pressure.